Aquatherm North America announced at the 2017 AHR Expo the addition of a new SDR 9 product line to the family of Aquatherm Blue Pipe options used in mechanical and industrial applications: Aquatherm Blue Pipe SDR 9 MF RP.

• SDR stands for standard dimension ratio
• 9 is the pipe thickness (or SDR)
• MF is multi-layer faser (Aquatherm’s proprietary thermal expansion-reducing fiberglass extruded layer)
• RP stands for raised pressure

The piping utilizes the latest advances in high-performance polypropylene-random (PP-R) resin technology for improved performance and capabilities in applications such as high-pressure risers, high-temperature heating and district heating, and industrial process systems where a high safety margin is required.

The Aquatherm Blue Pipe MF RP is classified as a polypropylene raised crystallinity temperature (PP-RCT) material in accordance with ASTM F2389 and ISO 15874, as well as a PP-R 125 in accordance with ISO 12162. This ensures that the Blue Pipe SDR 9 MF RP meets and exceeds the most stringent international and national standards for polypropylene pressure piping.

PP-RCT had been a proprietary material under ASTM F2389, but a recent change made it a generic industry standard that refers to any newer generation polypropylene material meeting the pressure/temperature requirements of ISO 15874. With SDR 9, Aquatherm is introducing a PP-RCT product to meet specific market demands and will consider special orders of other SDRs on a case-by-case basis.

Historically, when an application demanded increased performance over the Blue Pipe SDR 11 or SDR 17.6, Aquatherm Green Pipe SDR 7.4 MF would be used. This new offering provides several advantages over those SDRs, including: lower wall thickness and lower weight per foot; 15 percent higher flow capacity; and 20-100 percent higher pressure capability depending on the operational temperature. The new SDR 9 utilizes the same multi-layer faser wall structure to greatly reduce thermal expansion and contraction and is installed with the same trouble-free, labor-saving, fusion-welding joining methods.

Aquatherm’s PP-RP resin is included under the company’s Environmental Product Declaration, which documents that all Aquatherm NA product lines can contribute directly to LEED v4 points. In addition to potential LEED points, this new-generation product provides engineers, owners, and specifiers with a labor-saving alternative to copper and steel piping options.

From a cost perspective, the new SDR is very competitive, as it is nominally 15-20 percent more than the existing Aquatherm Blue Pipe SDR 11 and costs less than Aquatherm Green Pipe SDR 7.4. The Blue Pipe SDR 9 MF RP product line will be available in the U.S. and Canada starting in April 2017 with nominal diameters ranging from 1 through 14 in. The piping system includes the full complement of SDR 9 fittings, which provide the same ratings as the pipe and the same improved flow capacity.

Additional information can be found at www.aquatherm.com.